With the aim to support the agenda of the United Nations (UN) through programs and training pursuits on sustainable development, the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) and the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), Ministry of Education (MoE), Thailand conducted the In-Country Program on Greening TVET for Sustainable Development, held from January 29 to February 2, 2024 at Surat Thani Polytechnic College, Thailand. A total of 42 college directors, instructors, lecturers and educators of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) have participated in the five-day program.
The training program was primarily designed for TVET professionals to gain understanding on how to empower students to maintain a green society through green knowledge, skills, and attitudes. With this, the participants were expected to understand the concept of greening TVET and green skills development; determine the tools and techniques for TVET green sustainability in Thailand; and prepare an action-based development plan for sustainable development.
The overall program was jointly facilitated by CPSC and OVEC, as supervised by CPSC Director General Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe and OVEC Secretary-General Mr. Yodsapol Venukosess. Meanwhile, CPSC Senior Faculty Specialist Engr. Dr. Mian Khuram Ahsan served as the Program Coordinator, together with Mr. Laksasak Yangsaman, Policy and Planning Analyst of OVEC’s Bureau of Policy and Planning. The program was also managed by Dr. Rangsan Thepmondhri, Director of Policy and Strategy Division of OVEC’s Bureau of Policy and Planning; Dr. Patcharavadee Thongprim, Special Instructor in the Faculty of Management Sciences in Suratthani Rajabhat University; and Dr. Naranun Khammanee, Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Technology in Suratthani Rajabhat University.
Suratthani Rajabhat University Lecturer Dr. Naranun Khammanee presents her special lecture
The opening ceremony was graced by OVEC Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Praphat Rattanaarun and Engr. Dr. Ahsan as they delivered their welcome remarks on behalf of OVEC and CPSC, respectively. After the opening ceremony, a special lecture titled Greening TVET as an SDG 2030 Strategy: Current Concepts, Practices and Future Agenda was presented by Dr. Naranun Khammanee. Workshops were also conducted during the five-day program as facilitated by Engr. Dr. Ahsan and Dr. Thongprim. These workshops allowed the participants to formulate a SWOT Analysis of the Green TVET Institute Environment, PESTEL Analysis in identifying issues and challenges existing in greening campuses, and prepare an action plan for the integration of green skills in TVET institutes in Thailand.
Furthermore, theme papers were delivered by Engr. Dr. Ahsan, Dr. Thongprim, and Dr. Thepmondhri. The presentations focused on the following topics such as: The Importance of Green Skills in Sustainable Development; Strategies & Practical Approaches for Greening Campuses; Integrating Green Skills in the TVET Curriculum; TVET Digitization for Global Competitiveness; The Future of TVET with IR 4.0 to TVET 4.0; and Best Practices of Greening TVET in the Global Context.
National Seminar on Greening Skills for Sustainable Development
Conducted in a blended mode, with some participants present and others joining virtually, a National Seminar on Greening Skills for Sustainable Development was consequently held on January 31, 2024. The five sessions were facilitated by Dr. Siripan Choomnoom, Prof. Wickramasinghe, Dr. Prapon Viraponsawan, and Dr. Naranun Khammanee. A question-and-answer portion was moderated by Engr. Dr. Ahsan after the panel discussion.
Participants during the study visit
The participants also visited local spots in Surat Thani province such as Bang Bai Mai Subdistrict, Viya Crab and Wat Than Nam Lai (Mokkhaplaram Park). Likewise, the five-day training program concluded with the closing ceremony led by Dr. Thongprim and Prof. Wickramasinghe who delivered their closing remarks. The program summary was presented by Engr. Dr. Ahsan while two participants were selected to give their feedback and insights about the overall program on greening TVET. The participants received certificates of participation at the conclusion of the program.
